GITNUXREPORT 2026

Restaurants Statistics

The restaurant industry grew significantly in 2023, with strong sales and new consumer trends shaping its future.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

47% of U.S. consumers visited quick-service restaurants weekly in 2023.

Statistic 2

62% of millennials prefer dining out over cooking at home weekly.

Statistic 3

Average U.S. consumer spends $3,500 annually on restaurants.

Statistic 4

71% of Gen Z orders food delivery at least once a week.

Statistic 5

55% of consumers choose restaurants based on online reviews.

Statistic 6

Plant-based menu items ordered by 41% of U.S. diners in 2023.

Statistic 7

68% of families dine out for special occasions monthly.

Statistic 8

Delivery orders represent 22% of total restaurant sales for consumers.

Statistic 9

76% of consumers aged 18-34 use mobile apps for reservations.

Statistic 10

Alcohol consumption at restaurants up 15% post-pandemic among diners.

Statistic 11

49% of diners seek sustainable sourcing info on menus.

Statistic 12

Average check size at full-service restaurants $25 per person in 2023.

Statistic 13

60% of boomers prefer casual dining over fine dining.

Statistic 14

Contactless payments used by 89% of restaurant patrons.

Statistic 15

34% of consumers tried new cuisines due to social media in 2023.

Statistic 16

Loyalty programs influence 52% of repeat visits.

Statistic 17

67% avoid restaurants without diverse menu options.

Statistic 18

Weekend brunch attendance up 28% among urban millennials.

Statistic 19

45% of diners tip 20% or more standardly.

Statistic 20

Outdoor dining preferred by 73% in summer months.

Statistic 21

58% choose restaurants via Instagram recommendations.

Statistic 22

Health-conscious orders increased 19% for low-calorie items.

Statistic 23

63% of parents dine out with kids weekly.

Statistic 24

Value menus drive 40% of low-income consumer visits.

Statistic 25

51% experiment with fusion cuisines annually.

Statistic 26

Late-night dining (after 10pm) up 12% among young adults.

Statistic 27

77% read nutritional info before ordering.

Statistic 28

Solo dining normalized, 29% dine alone monthly.

Statistic 29

U.S. restaurant industry employs 15.9 million people as of 2023.

Statistic 30

10.2 million restaurant jobs in back-of-house roles in U.S. 2023.

Statistic 31

Average hourly wage for restaurant servers $16.50 in 2023.

Statistic 32

48% of restaurant workforce is under 30 years old.

Statistic 33

Turnover rate in restaurants averaged 73% in 2023.

Statistic 34

1.1 million new restaurant jobs added in U.S. since 2021.

Statistic 35

Chefs and head cooks median wage $56,520 annually in 2023.

Statistic 36

35% of employees are part-time in quick-service restaurants.

Statistic 37

Female representation in restaurant management 42% in 2023.

Statistic 38

Training hours per new hire averaged 40 hours in full-service.

Statistic 39

Immigrant workers comprise 22% of U.S. restaurant labor force.

Statistic 40

Bartenders unemployment rate dropped to 4.1% in 2023.

Statistic 41

65% of restaurants report labor shortages in kitchen staff.

Statistic 42

Benefits offered to 55% of full-time restaurant employees.

Statistic 43

Hourly wage for cooks rose 12% to $18.20 in 2023.

Statistic 44

Student workers make up 18% of restaurant staff.

Statistic 45

Overtime hours averaged 5 per week for managers.

Statistic 46

Unionized restaurants only 1.5% of total industry.

Statistic 47

Remote hiring tools used by 70% of restaurants.

Statistic 48

Retention rate improved to 62% with wage increases.

Statistic 49

Disability employment in restaurants at 8%.

Statistic 50

Seasonal hiring peaks at 20% workforce increase.

Statistic 51

Veteran hiring initiatives cover 12% of hires.

Statistic 52

Gig workers fill 15% of delivery roles.

Statistic 53

Average tenure for servers 1.8 years.

Statistic 54

Health insurance coverage 48% for full-time staff.

Statistic 55

28% growth in managerial positions since 2020.

Statistic 56

Average restaurant has 25 employees on payroll.

Statistic 57

In 2023, the U.S. restaurant industry sales reached $1.1 trillion, marking a 9.2% increase from 2022.

Statistic 58

The global restaurant market was valued at $3.37 trillion in 2022, projected to grow to $5.43 trillion by 2030 at a CAGR of 6.2%.

Statistic 59

U.S. full-service restaurant sales hit $366.5 billion in 2023, up 7.1% year-over-year.

Statistic 60

Quick-service restaurant segment accounted for 37% of global market revenue in 2023.

Statistic 61

Asia-Pacific region held 42.5% share of global restaurant market in 2023, driven by urbanization.

Statistic 62

U.S. restaurant industry projected to add $110 billion in sales by 2025 compared to 2019 levels.

Statistic 63

Independent restaurants generated $300 billion in U.S. sales in 2023.

Statistic 64

Europe restaurant market size reached €1.2 trillion in 2023.

Statistic 65

Fast-casual segment grew to $28.4 billion in U.S. sales in 2023, up 8%.

Statistic 66

Global fine dining market valued at $212 billion in 2023.

Statistic 67

U.S. limited-service eating places market size was $413 billion in 2023.

Statistic 68

Cloud kitchen market expected to reach $71.7 billion globally by 2027.

Statistic 69

U.S. restaurant sales per capita reached $3,200 in 2023.

Statistic 70

Latin America restaurant market grew 5.8% to $250 billion in 2023.

Statistic 71

Bar and tavern segment U.S. sales at $42 billion in 2023.

Statistic 72

Global casual dining market size $1.2 trillion in 2023, CAGR 5.1% to 2030.

Statistic 73

U.S. foodservice market projected at $1.38 trillion by 2028.

Statistic 74

Middle East restaurant market valued at $85 billion in 2023.

Statistic 75

U.S. chain restaurant sales dominated 55% of total in 2023.

Statistic 76

Africa restaurant market to grow from $40 billion in 2023 to $65 billion by 2030.

Statistic 77

U.S. delivery-only restaurants sales surged to $25 billion in 2023.

Statistic 78

Canada restaurant industry sales hit CAD 120 billion in 2023.

Statistic 79

Global vegan restaurant market $24.5 billion in 2023.

Statistic 80

U.S. pizzeria sales reached $46 billion in 2023.

Statistic 81

Australia restaurant market size AUD 25 billion in 2023.

Statistic 82

India restaurant market valued at INR 5.5 trillion in 2023.

Statistic 83

UK restaurant sector turnover £90 billion in 2023.

Statistic 84

Brazil restaurant market $35 billion in 2023, growing 6%.

Statistic 85

China restaurant industry sales CNY 5 trillion in 2023.

Statistic 86

France restaurant market €85 billion in 2023.

Statistic 87

82% of U.S. restaurants use POS systems for operations.

Statistic 88

Average table turn time in casual dining 45 minutes.

Statistic 89

Food cost percentage averages 28-32% of sales.

Statistic 90

65% of restaurants implemented inventory software.

Statistic 91

Kitchen waste reduced 15% with portion control.

Statistic 92

Average seat occupancy 72% during peak hours.

Statistic 93

Labor cost as percentage of sales 30.5%.

Statistic 94

Online ordering platforms used by 78% of chains.

Statistic 95

Average delivery time target 30 minutes for QSR.

Statistic 96

Energy costs represent 4% of operating expenses.

Statistic 97

Menu item count averages 45 per restaurant.

Statistic 98

Reservation no-show rate 12% on average.

Statistic 99

Supply chain disruptions affected 40% of ops in 2023.

Statistic 100

Self-service kiosks in 55% of fast-food locations.

Statistic 101

Average rent as 7-10% of revenue for independents.

Statistic 102

Tabletop ordering tablets in 32% of casual spots.

Statistic 103

Prime cost (food + labor) target under 60%.

Statistic 104

Ghost kitchen utilization 25% capacity increase.

Statistic 105

Customer wait time averages 5 minutes at QSR.

Statistic 106

CRM software adoption 68% for customer data.

Statistic 107

Dishwasher throughput 2,500 plates per shift.

Statistic 108

Mobile payment processing fee 2.6% average.

Statistic 109

Vendor delivery accuracy 92%.

Statistic 110

Peak hour sales 40% of daily total.

Statistic 111

AI scheduling tools in 45% of multi-unit ops.

Statistic 112

Compostable waste diversion 35% in green ops.

Statistic 113

Loyalty app redemption rate 18%.

Statistic 114

56% of restaurants adopted contactless menus.

Statistic 115

Drive-thru sales 25% of QSR revenue.

Statistic 116

42% of menus feature QR codes for nutrition.

Statistic 117

Plant-based options on 75% of menus in 2023.

Statistic 118

Ghost kitchens grew 59% globally since 2020.

Statistic 119

AI-powered menu optimization used by 28% of chains.

Statistic 120

Sustainable packaging adopted by 64% of restaurants.

Statistic 121

Voice ordering tech in 19% of drive-thrus.

Statistic 122

Experiential dining events up 34% post-COVID.

Statistic 123

NFT loyalty programs piloted by 5% of upscale spots.

Statistic 124

Vertical farming partnerships for 12% of farm-to-table.

Statistic 125

Robotic servers deployed in 8% of Asian chains.

Statistic 126

Metaverse virtual dining trials by 2% innovators.

Statistic 127

Hyper-personalized menus via data in 37%.

Statistic 128

Zero-waste kitchens certified in 11% independents.

Statistic 129

Lab-grown meat tested by 3% fine dining spots.

Statistic 130

AR menu visualization in 15% tech-forward venues.

Statistic 131

Subscription meal plans offered by 22% QSR.

Statistic 132

Drone delivery pilots in 4% urban areas.

Statistic 133

Wellness-focused menus with adaptogens in 26%.

Statistic 134

Pop-up collaborations surged 41%.

Statistic 135

Blockchain for supply chain in 9% large chains.

Statistic 136

Immersive soundscapes in 17% ambiance designs.

Statistic 137

Fermentation-heavy menus up 29%.

Statistic 138

Gamified dining apps in 13% family restaurants.

Statistic 139

Carbon-neutral certifications held by 7%.

Statistic 140

Holographic chefs in experimental 1% spots.

Statistic 141

Mood-based lighting automation 31% adoption.

Statistic 142

Community table designs in 24% casuals.

Statistic 143

Edible packaging trials in 6% innovative menus.

Statistic 144

Predictive analytics for demand forecasting 40%.

Statistic 145

Inclusivity menus for allergies in 88%.

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From bustling street food stalls to fine dining establishments, the global restaurant industry is serving up staggering numbers, with U.S. sales alone reaching a monumental $1.1 trillion in 2023.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, the U.S. restaurant industry sales reached $1.1 trillion, marking a 9.2% increase from 2022.
The global restaurant market was valued at $3.37 trillion in 2022, projected to grow to $5.43 trillion by 2030 at a CAGR of 6.2%.
U.S. full-service restaurant sales hit $366.5 billion in 2023, up 7.1% year-over-year.
47% of U.S. consumers visited quick-service restaurants weekly in 2023.
62% of millennials prefer dining out over cooking at home weekly.
Average U.S. consumer spends $3,500 annually on restaurants.
U.S. restaurant industry employs 15.9 million people as of 2023.
10.2 million restaurant jobs in back-of-house roles in U.S. 2023.
Average hourly wage for restaurant servers $16.50 in 2023.
82% of U.S. restaurants use POS systems for operations.
Average table turn time in casual dining 45 minutes.
Food cost percentage averages 28-32% of sales.
Plant-based options on 75% of menus in 2023.
Ghost kitchens grew 59% globally since 2020.
AI-powered menu optimization used by 28% of chains.

The restaurant industry grew significantly in 2023, with strong sales and new consumer trends shaping its future.

Consumer Behavior

47% of U.S. consumers visited quick-service restaurants weekly in 2023.
62% of millennials prefer dining out over cooking at home weekly.
Average U.S. consumer spends $3,500 annually on restaurants.
71% of Gen Z orders food delivery at least once a week.
55% of consumers choose restaurants based on online reviews.
Plant-based menu items ordered by 41% of U.S. diners in 2023.
68% of families dine out for special occasions monthly.
Delivery orders represent 22% of total restaurant sales for consumers.
76% of consumers aged 18-34 use mobile apps for reservations.
Alcohol consumption at restaurants up 15% post-pandemic among diners.
49% of diners seek sustainable sourcing info on menus.
Average check size at full-service restaurants $25 per person in 2023.
60% of boomers prefer casual dining over fine dining.
Contactless payments used by 89% of restaurant patrons.
34% of consumers tried new cuisines due to social media in 2023.
Loyalty programs influence 52% of repeat visits.
67% avoid restaurants without diverse menu options.
Weekend brunch attendance up 28% among urban millennials.
45% of diners tip 20% or more standardly.
Outdoor dining preferred by 73% in summer months.
58% choose restaurants via Instagram recommendations.
Health-conscious orders increased 19% for low-calorie items.
63% of parents dine out with kids weekly.
Value menus drive 40% of low-income consumer visits.
51% experiment with fusion cuisines annually.
Late-night dining (after 10pm) up 12% among young adults.
77% read nutritional info before ordering.
Solo dining normalized, 29% dine alone monthly.

Consumer Behavior Interpretation

Nearly half the country is on a permanent dine-out diet, where millennials lead the charge from their phones, Gen Z has it delivered, and everyone from families to solo diners is voting with their forks for convenience, sustainability, and whatever looks good on Instagram.

Employment Statistics

U.S. restaurant industry employs 15.9 million people as of 2023.
10.2 million restaurant jobs in back-of-house roles in U.S. 2023.
Average hourly wage for restaurant servers $16.50 in 2023.
48% of restaurant workforce is under 30 years old.
Turnover rate in restaurants averaged 73% in 2023.
1.1 million new restaurant jobs added in U.S. since 2021.
Chefs and head cooks median wage $56,520 annually in 2023.
35% of employees are part-time in quick-service restaurants.
Female representation in restaurant management 42% in 2023.
Training hours per new hire averaged 40 hours in full-service.
Immigrant workers comprise 22% of U.S. restaurant labor force.
Bartenders unemployment rate dropped to 4.1% in 2023.
65% of restaurants report labor shortages in kitchen staff.
Benefits offered to 55% of full-time restaurant employees.
Hourly wage for cooks rose 12% to $18.20 in 2023.
Student workers make up 18% of restaurant staff.
Overtime hours averaged 5 per week for managers.
Unionized restaurants only 1.5% of total industry.
Remote hiring tools used by 70% of restaurants.
Retention rate improved to 62% with wage increases.
Disability employment in restaurants at 8%.
Seasonal hiring peaks at 20% workforce increase.
Veteran hiring initiatives cover 12% of hires.
Gig workers fill 15% of delivery roles.
Average tenure for servers 1.8 years.
Health insurance coverage 48% for full-time staff.
28% growth in managerial positions since 2020.
Average restaurant has 25 employees on payroll.

Employment Statistics Interpretation

The restaurant industry is a high-energy, high-turnover arena where a mostly youthful and expanding workforce serves up the nation's meals, yet constant labor shortages and fleeting job tenures reveal the simmering challenges behind the dining room's bustling facade.

Market Size and Growth

In 2023, the U.S. restaurant industry sales reached $1.1 trillion, marking a 9.2% increase from 2022.
The global restaurant market was valued at $3.37 trillion in 2022, projected to grow to $5.43 trillion by 2030 at a CAGR of 6.2%.
U.S. full-service restaurant sales hit $366.5 billion in 2023, up 7.1% year-over-year.
Quick-service restaurant segment accounted for 37% of global market revenue in 2023.
Asia-Pacific region held 42.5% share of global restaurant market in 2023, driven by urbanization.
U.S. restaurant industry projected to add $110 billion in sales by 2025 compared to 2019 levels.
Independent restaurants generated $300 billion in U.S. sales in 2023.
Europe restaurant market size reached €1.2 trillion in 2023.
Fast-casual segment grew to $28.4 billion in U.S. sales in 2023, up 8%.
Global fine dining market valued at $212 billion in 2023.
U.S. limited-service eating places market size was $413 billion in 2023.
Cloud kitchen market expected to reach $71.7 billion globally by 2027.
U.S. restaurant sales per capita reached $3,200 in 2023.
Latin America restaurant market grew 5.8% to $250 billion in 2023.
Bar and tavern segment U.S. sales at $42 billion in 2023.
Global casual dining market size $1.2 trillion in 2023, CAGR 5.1% to 2030.
U.S. foodservice market projected at $1.38 trillion by 2028.
Middle East restaurant market valued at $85 billion in 2023.
U.S. chain restaurant sales dominated 55% of total in 2023.
Africa restaurant market to grow from $40 billion in 2023 to $65 billion by 2030.
U.S. delivery-only restaurants sales surged to $25 billion in 2023.
Canada restaurant industry sales hit CAD 120 billion in 2023.
Global vegan restaurant market $24.5 billion in 2023.
U.S. pizzeria sales reached $46 billion in 2023.
Australia restaurant market size AUD 25 billion in 2023.
India restaurant market valued at INR 5.5 trillion in 2023.
UK restaurant sector turnover £90 billion in 2023.
Brazil restaurant market $35 billion in 2023, growing 6%.
China restaurant industry sales CNY 5 trillion in 2023.
France restaurant market €85 billion in 2023.

Market Size and Growth Interpretation

While America is clearly doing its part to fatten the global restaurant industry's wallet, which is bulging toward $5 trillion, it's a deliciously crowded table where quick-service reigns, the Asia-Pacific region feasts on growth, and even cloud kitchens are elbowing in for a seat.

Operational Metrics

82% of U.S. restaurants use POS systems for operations.
Average table turn time in casual dining 45 minutes.
Food cost percentage averages 28-32% of sales.
65% of restaurants implemented inventory software.
Kitchen waste reduced 15% with portion control.
Average seat occupancy 72% during peak hours.
Labor cost as percentage of sales 30.5%.
Online ordering platforms used by 78% of chains.
Average delivery time target 30 minutes for QSR.
Energy costs represent 4% of operating expenses.
Menu item count averages 45 per restaurant.
Reservation no-show rate 12% on average.
Supply chain disruptions affected 40% of ops in 2023.
Self-service kiosks in 55% of fast-food locations.
Average rent as 7-10% of revenue for independents.
Tabletop ordering tablets in 32% of casual spots.
Prime cost (food + labor) target under 60%.
Ghost kitchen utilization 25% capacity increase.
Customer wait time averages 5 minutes at QSR.
CRM software adoption 68% for customer data.
Dishwasher throughput 2,500 plates per shift.
Mobile payment processing fee 2.6% average.
Vendor delivery accuracy 92%.
Peak hour sales 40% of daily total.
AI scheduling tools in 45% of multi-unit ops.
Compostable waste diversion 35% in green ops.
Loyalty app redemption rate 18%.
56% of restaurants adopted contactless menus.
Drive-thru sales 25% of QSR revenue.
42% of menus feature QR codes for nutrition.

Operational Metrics Interpretation

To run a successful restaurant today, you need the precision of a data scientist juggling inventory, labor, and a 72% full house, all while fighting 12% of your supposed guests and a 2.6% fee for the privilege of letting them pay with their phones.

Trends and Innovations

Plant-based options on 75% of menus in 2023.
Ghost kitchens grew 59% globally since 2020.
AI-powered menu optimization used by 28% of chains.
Sustainable packaging adopted by 64% of restaurants.
Voice ordering tech in 19% of drive-thrus.
Experiential dining events up 34% post-COVID.
NFT loyalty programs piloted by 5% of upscale spots.
Vertical farming partnerships for 12% of farm-to-table.
Robotic servers deployed in 8% of Asian chains.
Metaverse virtual dining trials by 2% innovators.
Hyper-personalized menus via data in 37%.
Zero-waste kitchens certified in 11% independents.
Lab-grown meat tested by 3% fine dining spots.
AR menu visualization in 15% tech-forward venues.
Subscription meal plans offered by 22% QSR.
Drone delivery pilots in 4% urban areas.
Wellness-focused menus with adaptogens in 26%.
Pop-up collaborations surged 41%.
Blockchain for supply chain in 9% large chains.
Immersive soundscapes in 17% ambiance designs.
Fermentation-heavy menus up 29%.
Gamified dining apps in 13% family restaurants.
Carbon-neutral certifications held by 7%.
Holographic chefs in experimental 1% spots.
Mood-based lighting automation 31% adoption.
Community table designs in 24% casuals.
Edible packaging trials in 6% innovative menus.
Predictive analytics for demand forecasting 40%.
Inclusivity menus for allergies in 88%.

Trends and Innovations Interpretation

The modern restaurant has become a frenetic stage where kitchens sprout from thin air, menus whisper to both our ethics and our AI overlords, and the relentless pursuit of novelty—from edible wrappers to holographic chefs—is fiercely balanced by a welcome and overdue mainstream embrace of inclusivity and mindful sustenance.

Sources & References

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